YLC Gets Drive-By View of Transportation Systems

In March, the YLCers were finally able to discuss their favorite topic: Lake Oswego transportation. Over Thai food, and with the company of Mayor Joe Buck and his dogs Retta and Boone, they were treated to a presentation by Assistant City Engineer Will Farley, who, as Lake Oswego’s former Traffic Engineer, knows transit inside and out. 

Farley walked the group through the comprehensive Lake Oswego Transportation Systems Plan and Capital Improvement Plan, which identified 200 and 175 potential improvement projects, respectively, within Lake Oswego. Some of these projects, like improving Lakeview Boulevard and installing a signal on Jean and Pilkington, are already underway or complete; many more are still in the planning stages. The YLCers learned about how these projects can be funded—through the Street Fund—and about “conditioning,” where private developers can assist with public improvements. In return, the YLCers peppered Farley with questions about bridges, traffic cameras, protected bike lanes, and ziplines—unfortunately not a viable option for mass transportation.

After the presentation and Q&A, the YLCers debriefed on their current projects—highlighting Kasen Shi, who testified to the Oregon State Senate the previous week, touching base about the TARA surveying several YLCers were involved in, and continuing the discussion about mental health begun in January. As this year of the Youth Leadership Council comes to a close, the YLCers remain busy as ever.

The next Youth Leadership Council meeting will take place on April 21, 2025. For more about Lake Oswego transportation and traffic engineering, please see here. Applications for the 2025-26 Youth Leadership Council are open; for more information or to apply, consult the YLC webpage or follow the YLC Instagram at @loteenlounge.